Australia finally could not pull together their late swing just one more time. The Hussey brothers tried hard once again and recovered them from a dismal 3 down for 8 runs in 2.1 overs and again 4 for 45 in 9.2 overs. However, they batted quite well getting about 10 rpo thereafter. In the end they would be happy to get to 147. However, it looked quite small looking at the way the England Batsmen have performed in this tournament.

England has been blessed with Keiswetter. In him they found a surprise for their opponents, and he along with Lumb has managed to give good starts to the team and Pietersen has also done quite well in this world cup (no surprises that he has won the Player of the Tournamnet Trophy as well). They made the target look very easy, and the harder the Australians bowled, the easier English batted. They put up 111 for the second wicket in just 11.2 overs. At that stage itself, Australians knew it was over. However, they did try hard and even got both the batsmen out, but the English coasted easily to 148 with 18 balls and 7 wickets to spare.

They were one of the most deserving teams in this tournament and lost only due to the Duckworth Lewis worthless duck calculations!

Pakistan, World Champions vs Australia, I-don’t-know-this-stuff was a match which was difficult to predict. However, once Pakistan enters the knockout stage, they are known to become very dangerous. Today was no different. Pakistan, batting first put up great partnerships. 82 for first wicket in 9.4 overs and then 46 in last 3 overs!!! Actually they put 73 in last 5 overs!! Akmal brothers did very well to score a bulk of runs.

Australia were in comparison 4 down for 67 in 10 overs. The dream run seemed to run out of steam. Getting 125 runs in 10 overs seemed too tough especially with 4 wickets gone. David Hussey sparked for a second and put 43 in 4.1 overs. Well 10 rpo was not enough and the asking rate had got even higher. Another 4 overs and 34 runs later White departed and the asking rate had gone to the north pole! 3.3 overs left and 52 runs to get put the asking rate at 14.9 rpo. Was this it? 4balls and 5 runs more and Smith departs! 2 overs 5 balls and 48 to get. It was over. Eyes moist, Australians had started packing their bags. Next 5 balls got 14 runs. 34 in 2 overs left. Another 16 runs in the next over, and 18 left. Still looked too daunting. Just one wicket and it’d be over. The over began with Johnson on strike! One of the first ball meant 17 to be taken in 5 balls! Mike Hussey hits 6,6,4,6 to reach with a ball to spare! This is the innings of his lifetime!